If you manage bring in than $20,000 in revenues per year I recommend you start using accounting software. If you have more than $50,000 in revenues in a year I HIGHLY recommend you start using accounting software and Quickbooks online is an excellent choice.

Make it a New Years resolution for 2017 to start using accounting software and be a better money manager of your homeschool organizations finances.

Lots of homeschool parents are depending on you to run your organization successfully.

The advantages are huge:

Multi-user so you don’t overburden one person with all the record keeping. Even a bookkeeper or CPA (like me) can log in remotely (with your permission).

Online backup so nothing is lost.

Email invoices so you can easily track who still owes you.

Create reports that show how much money has been spent.

Help is available

Are you afraid of accounting software? It can be complicated, but Tech soup offers some helpful videos.

Or if you prefer more personal help I can recommend some homeschool moms and dads with accounting and bookkeeping experience who can help you. They know QuickBooks and have experience with homeschool organizations. These wonderful bookkeepers can help you get setup (that’s the hardest part), do a monthly or quarterly check up to see if you’re using the software correctly, and answer questions you have.

Email me to get a recommendation of a homeschool-friendly QuickBooks expert.

There are a few catches to TechSoup’s free program:

You need to be a qualified nonprofit organization, that means nonprofits with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.

You need to re-subscribe each year, but the renewal fee is free.

What have you got to lose?

If you don’t take advantage of this offer please tell me why in the comments or email me. I want to understand your concerns or obstacles.

I am thinking we will need to get QuickBooks to manage our finances. Do we you recommend the nonprofit version? I have not looked much into this yet. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Nancy in CA

Nancy,

I don’t think you need the Nonprofit version of QuickBooks. Usually the Pro version is sufficient. The Nonprofit edition is helpful if you receive a grant and need to track grant expenses.

I usually recommend online accounting software instead of purchasing a desktop version. Online accounting means that several people can access your accounting records from their home computers. That’s very important. It also downloads your bank transactions automatically!

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